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| May 10, 2006 | Wednesday | Rabi-us-Sani 11, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistani agents arrest Tunisian, two others on suspicion of al-Qaida links PESHAWAR, Pakistan, May 10 (AP) _ Pakistani intelligence agents raided amilitant hideout in a remote tribal region and arrested a Tunisian man and two other Islamic militants on suspicion of links with al-Qaida, officials said Wednesday. The Tunisian, who identified himself as Abdul Rahman, and his twoassociates were arrested Tuesday in North Waziristan, bordering Afghanistan, the official said. ``We were looking for this Tunisian for the past several days. At this stage, I can only say that he is an important al-Qaida operative,'' said the official, who gave no further details. He said one of the other suspects was an Afghan and the third was their Pakistani facilitator. ``These al-Qaida people are in our custody. Right now, a joint team of investigators is questioning them,'' the official said. In Islamabad, a second security official, who also refused to be named because of the sensitive nature of his job, confirmed the arrests, but said he wasn't able to share more information. Government spokespeople weren't immediately available for comment. Pakistan is a key ally of the United States in its war on terror, and has arrested more than 750 al-Qaida suspects since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.(Posted @ 21:15 PST)
Letter from Iran does not address nuclear worries: Bush ORLANDO, Florida, May 10 (AFP) - In his first public reaction to a letter sent him by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, US President George W. Bush said it failed to respond to international concern about Tehran's nuclear program. "It looks like it did not answer the main question that the world is asking and that is, 'when will you get rid of your nuclear program?'" Bush said in a roundtable discussion Tuesday with several Florida newspapers.(Posted @ 20:33 PST)
Russia needs to be strong against 'fortress' US: Putin MOSCOW, May 10 (AFP) - Russia faces a growing arms race against a "fortress" United States which cares more about its own interests than democracy or human rights, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday in his annual state of the nation speech. Putin warned that it was "premature to speak of the end of the arms race. It is in reality rising to a new technological level." He said that Russia was forced to react when the United States was spending 25 times more on defence.(Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Musharraf for rapid industrial growth Rawalpindi, May 10 (PPI) President Pervez Musharraf Wednesday emphasized fast track facilitation of higher foreign investment and earliest removal of impediment in its way to ensure rapid industrial development. Addressing a high level meeting attended, among others, by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the President said we must set the shortest timeframe between an investor's expression of interest and the government's response in terms of facilitation for commencement of the project. He said the country is destined to serve as a trade corridor and an industrial base for exports to regional countries including Central Asia, South Asia, the Gulf and China. The President noted with satisfaction that foreign direct investment this year would touch three billion dollars mark but underscored that regular follow up on the implementation of policies is imperative to set the pace for rapid industrial development. In his remarks, the Prime Minister said the government has offered level playing field to both local and foreign entrepreneurs and also ensured legal protection to their business. Later, Minister for Investment Umar Ahmed Ghumman told newsmen that Pakistan was particularly looking forward to enhance oil refining capacity by setting up refining facilities in Gwadar.(Posted @ 20:15 PST)
Tens of thousands protest govt reform plan in Beirut BEIRUT, May 10 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Lebanese marched through the streets of Beirut on Wednesday condemning the anti-Syrian government and demanding it scrap economic reform plans that have split the country. A year after mass protests brought down a pro-Syrian government and helped end Syria's 29-year military presence in Lebanon, security officials said at least 100,000 people poured into downtown Beirut in a politically charged labour protest to say "no to taxes, no to corruption."(Posted @ 21:25 PST)
Jayasuriya recalled to test team from retirement COLOMBO, May 10 (AP) _ Sri Lanka's prolific batsman Sanath Jayasuriya has been recalled to test cricket again, a month after he announced his retirement, a cricket official said Wednesday. ``The selectors had a meeting today and decided to send him for tests,'' cricket board spokesman Vajira Wijewardene said. ``This has been sent to the minister and got his approval.''(Posted @ 21:05 PST)
At least 19 killed across Iraq BAGHDAD, May 10 (AFP) - At least 19 people were killed in violence in Iraq on Wednesday, including 12 in an ambush near the restive city of Baquba, security officials said. Twelve people were killed Wednesday as gunmen ambushed a minibus carrying employees of an electricity company near Baquba, and "sprayed it with bullets", a police official said. "After the attack, police came to investigate and at that time the bus exploded, wounding a policeman," he added. In a separate incident near Baquba, the deputy police intelligence chief of Baquba and his two bodyguards were shot dead by gunmen, police said. In Baghdad's southern Al-Bayaa neighborhood, defense ministry media official Mohammed Moshib was killed in an ambush on Wednesday, a source in his ministry said. In Yarmouk, unknown gunmen shot dead two traffic policemen, including a first lieutenant, while a roadside bomb targeting an Iraqi army patrol near the central neighborhood of Karrada killed one soldier. Thirteen corpses were also discovered by police around the capital: five in the southern neighborhood of Al-Dura, two in the western area of Amiriya and six scattered around the downtown region. Most showed signs of torture.(First Posted @ 16:35 Updated Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Some 3,931 confirmed disappeared in occupied Kashmir between 1990-2003: US State Department Report ISLAMABAD, May 10 (APP): At least 3,931 persons disappeared mysteriously in occupied Kashmir between 1990-2003, US State Department Report on Human Rights in India said. However, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) put the number at approximately 8,000 to 10,000 while the Asian Center for Human Rights (ACHR) in September reported more than 6,000 disappearance cases. The US reports gives some of the most glaring examples of persons who disappeared in the most intriguing circumstances. Human rights groups maintain that many of these unacknowledged prisoners were subjected to torture and killed extra judicially. The ACHR has described deaths in custody as a severe problem with police regularly using torture.(Posted @ 19:20 PST)
Over 100 hurt in Bangladesh protests DHAKA, May 10 (Reuters) - At least 100 people were injured and many vehicles damaged in Bangladesh on Wednesday as sporadic clashes erupted between police and opposition workers protesting against rising commodity prices, police and witnesses said. About 50 people were hurt when police fired rubber bullets and teargas shells to disperse protesters in the northern town of Netrokona, 200 km from Dhaka. More than 50 other people were hurt in similar violence in other towns. Separately, about 10,000 people led by leaders of a 14-party opposition alliance demonstrated in Dhaka chanting: "We need water and power. Lower commodity prices or quit."(Fist Posted @ 16:45 PST Updated @ 18:50 PST)
Former communist Napolitano new Italian president ROME, May 10 (AFP) - Former communist Giorgio Napolitano, 80, was elected Italy's new president Wednesday, winning an absolute majority in a parliamentary vote which underlined the country's political divisions.(Posted @ 18:33 PST)
Iran's letter 'not a serious diplomatic overture': Rice NEW YORK, May 10 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice underscored Wednesday that Iran's surprise letter to President George W. Bush was "not a serious diplomatic overture." "That is not a serious diplomatic overture," Rice told NBC television, adding that there was "nothing in it that suggested a way out of the nuclear stalemate." "absence of communication is not the problem with Iran,"she said. "What is to be gained if Iran is not prepared to live up to its obligations" to the international community, she asked. It was critical for Iran not to have nuclear weapons, Rice said. But "more importantly, no one even wants Iran to have the technology on its territory that could lead to" weapons building, Rice said. Though "there will be action in the Security Council," Rice reiterated that the United States could pursue sanctions outside the UN Security Council "on the financial side," without elaborating. "Iran can either defy the international community ... or accept a path" toward verification, Rice said.(Posted @ 17:40 PST)
West gives Iran breather in nuclear row: Rice NEW YORK, May 10 (AFP) - Western powers will wait a "couple of weeks" before pressing tough UN action against Iran and offer new incentives for it to renounce its controversial nuclear activities, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday. Rice made her remarks to ABC television after two days of intensive consultations here among the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. "We agreed that we will continue to seek a (UN) Security Council resolution, but that we would wait for a couple of weeks while the Europeans design an offer to the Iranians that would make clear that they have a choice that would allow them to have a civil nuclear program," she said.(Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Kashmir high court bar association on strike Srinagar, occupied Kashmir, May 10 (PPI) Members of the occupied Kashmir High Court Bar Association observed complete strike and took out a procession Wednesday against the failure of the puppet regime to reveal names of culprits involved in the prostitution scandal, reports Kashmir Media Service. The association has also filed a Public Interest Litigation case in the high court seeking that the puppet regime reveal names of those involved in the scam.(Posted @ 17:25 PST)
Rana sacked as coach of Pak hockey team Karachi, May 10 (APP): Pakistan Hockey Federation has sacked manager Saeed Khan and coach Rana Mujahid while retaining Asif Bajwa as head coach, PHF secretary announced Wednesday. Rana Mujahid has been replaced by Rana Zaheer while Asif Bajwa has been entrusted with the additional responsibilities of manager, he said(Posted @ 17:15 PST)
Up to 80 killed in latest Somalia fighting NAIROBI, May 10 (Reuters) - Up to 80 people have been killed and some 200 injured in three days of fighting in the latest flare-up between rival militias in Mogadishu, witnesses said Wednesday, but a ceasefire declared late on Tuesday appeared to be holding.(Posted @ 16:52 PST)
Five Iraqis escape U.S. military prison BAGHDAD, May 10 (Reuters) - Five Iraqis have escaped from the U.S. military prison in Fort Suse, near the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya, a U.S. military spokesman said Wednesday. "They escaped in the early morning hours May 9," spokesman Keir-Kevin Curry said.(Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Hijackers win their court case for refugee status in Britain LONDON, May 10 (AP) _ Nine Afghans who hijacked an airplane to Britainwon their court fight for refugee status in Britain on Wednesday. The men were jailed for hijacking an Afghan Ariana Boeing 727 in February 2000, but their convictions were overturned by the Court of Appeal in 2003. Justice Jeremy Sullivan expressed anger at the government for having ``deliberately delayed'' implementation of a decision in favour of the refugees made in 2004 by an immigration appeals tribunal. ``It is difficult to conceive of a clearer case of conspicuous unfairness amounting to an abuse of power,'' the judge said.(Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Kashmir cable operators block 'obscene' TV fare after rebel threats SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, May 10(AFP) - Cable TV operators in revolt-hit occupied Kashmir said Wednesday they had pulled entertainment channels off the air after warnings from al Madina Regiment and the al Badr Mujahedin elements who called the broadcasts "obscene.", local media reported. Among the channels blocked were Star Movies and Star World, which feature Hollywood and Bollywood films, and other channels carrying movies and music programmes. Militants have banned cable channels several times since 2000. But the channels have come back on the air after pledges by operators that they would not beam "immoral" channels.(Posted @ 16:10 PST)
Indian navy seeks approval for more "stealth" warships NEW DELHI, May 10 (AFP) - The Indian navy, racing to acquire the latest military hardware, is seeking cabinet clearance to buy three Russian "stealth" frigates worth 665 million dollars, a spokesman said Wednesday. "All issues such as price negotiations and evaluation have been cleared and spadework done and it just requires the cabinet's clearance," Commander Vinay Garg told AFP. The navy already has three such ships, which get the stealth tag because they are difficult to track by radar. (Posted @ 16:05 PST)
Over 1,000 killed in April sectarian violence in Baghdad: president BAGHDAD, May 10 (AFP) - At least 1,091 people were killed in Baghdad alone last month in ongoing sectarian violence, President Jalal Talabani said in a statement Wednesday. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Military ammunition dump blast kills two in Taiwan TAIPEI, May 10 (AFP) - Two soldiers were killed and five others injured Wednesday when a military ammunition dump in Taiwan exploded, military authorities said. Initial investigations found that the explosion outside Taipei may have been caused by high temperatures setting off a fire, combined logistics command services force headquarters' spokesman Chiang Chin-sheng told reporters. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Three arrested in Mumbai as police seize arms cache MUMBAI, May 10 (AFP) - Indian police have arrested three men and seized a cache of weapons and explosives destined for the insurgency-hit region of occupied Kashmir, Mumbai's police chief said Wednesday. The men were arrested and 10 assault rifles, 30 kilograms of explosives and ammunition were seized at Aurangabad in Maharashtra state, olice commissioner A.N. Roy said. "At this stage we're not linking them to any particular organization said Roy. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Hamas and Fatah ban carrying of arms amid factional fighting GAZA CITY, May 10 (AFP) - The Hamas movement and the Fatah faction jointly agreed on Wednesday that no members of the factions would be able to carry their weapons in public Haniya announced at a joint press conference with senior Fatah official Ahmed Hilles. "We have given clear instructions to all the resistance to put an end to the armed incidents ... The government will use all the powers at its disposal to impose the law." "Anyone who carries arms will be considered an outlaw," said Hilles. "We appeal to all Fatah and Hamas activists in the West Bank and Gaza to remain calm and respect the rule of law in order to preserve the rights and interests of the Palestinian people," they said. According to the joint statement, read by Hilles, the two movements also called for an end to "mutual accusations inside mosques, in the media and on the Internet". (Posted @ 15:45 PST)
Alleged British hacker recommended for extradition to US LONDON, May 10 (AFP) - A British court on Wednesday recommended that Briton Gary McKinnon be extradited to the United States to stand trial on charges he hacked into US defense computer systems. (Posted @ 15:40 PST)
Four killed in Occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, Occupied Kashmir, May 10, 2006 (AFP) Indian troops shot dead two alleged militants along the Line of Control(LoC) in Poonch district Wednesday, authorities said. Separately, a policeman and a civilian were killed in two attacks on security forces in southern Doda district, police said. (Posted @ 12:30 PST)
Western concern on nuclear programme "big lie": Ahmadinejad JAKARTA, May 10 (Reuters) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on a visit to Indonesia, said on Wednesday that Western countries' expressions of concern over its nuclear policies were a "big lie". "I'll tell you, they are not concerned with nuclear programmes ... They are themselves engaged in nuclear activities and they are expanding day by day. They test new brands of weapons of mass destruction every day," he told a news conference. He said Iranian people resented "incorrect decisions" taken by the international community. Speaking of a letter sent to U.S. President George W. Bush, Ahmadinejad said sending it was the right decision and that he had no comment on the U.S. reaction. Indonesia offered to help mediate the Islamic republic's stand-off with the United States and other countries over its nuclear programme. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said: "We can cooperate well in reducing the tension and move toward continuing talks and negotiations". (Posted @ 12:10 PST)
Afghan police battle Taliban, kill three LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, May 10 (Reuters) Afghan police killed three Taliban insurgents who ambushed a patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand province on Tuesday, a provincial official said on Wednesday. "There were no casualties among police either in the ambush or during the clash that followed," the official added. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
US commander in China to improve military ties BEIJING, May 10, 2006 (AFP) The commander of US forces in the Pacific is in China for a seven-day visit aimed at improving military ties between the two countries, the US embassy here said Wednesday. Admiral William Fallon, who arrived on Tuesday, will meet with Chinese military officials in Beijing before visiting the northern city of Xian, eastern Hangzhou and Shenyang in the northeast, a US embassy spokeswoman said. "This is a follow-on to continue with improved military-to-military relations," the spokeswoman said. (Posted @ 10:36 PST)
Fresh quake rocks Russia's Kamchatka peninsula VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, May 10 (APP/AFP) - An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale rocked Russia's fareastern Kamchatka peninsula early Wednesday, hitting the same area where powerful tremors struck last month, an emergencies ministry official said. There were no reports of casualties no damages, the official said. (Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Two dead, 16 injured in Thailand's restive south BANGKOK, May 10, 2006 (AFP) - Two women were killed and at least 16 people, including several soldiers, injured in a bomb attack Wednesday in Thailand's restive south, police said. The bomb, which was tied to a motorcycle, exploded in front of a tea shop in Pattani, one of three insurgency-plagued southern provinces, they said, adding the attack was apparently aimed at the soldiers. (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
Nine dead in China coal mine blast BEIJING, May 10, 2006 (AFP) - Nine miners were killed and two others remained missing following an explosion on Wednesday at a coal mine in China's southwest Sichuan province, state press reported. Twenty-eight miners were underground at the Aotian coal mine in Xingwen county when the gas blast occurred in the early hours, with 17 of the workers rescued, according to the Xinhua news agency. (Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 4.93 points: KARACHI, May 10: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11571.90, down 4.93 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:16 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, May 10: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.15 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:16 PST)
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